Inductive charge balancing

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a method for charge balancing in a charge storage arrangement having a plurality of charge storage cells connected in series, and a charge balancing circuit.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Non-Provisional applicationSer. No. 13/017,600, filed on Jan. 31, 2011, which application is herebyincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present invention relate to an inductive chargebalancing circuit for a charge storage arrangement with a plurality ofcharge storage cells, and in particular to a method for detecting errorsthat may occur during operation of such a charge balancing circuit.

BACKGROUND

Rechargeable charge storage arrangements, like accumulators, play animportant role in electric vehicles, like electric cars, but also inother mobile electric devices, such as computers. Such charge storagearrangements usually include a plurality of charge storage cells(accumulator cells) connected in series, with the number of cellsconnected in series being dependent on the supply voltages provided bythe individual charge storage cells and being dependent on the desiredoverall supply voltage to be provided to a load. The supply voltageprovided by a storage arrangement including a number of storage cellsconnected in series corresponds to the sum of the individual supplyvoltages of the storage cells.

The rechargeable storage arrangement is discharged when it powers theload, and it can be recharged when an external power supply isavailable. Most types of charge storage cells, such as lithium-ioncells, should not be charged so as to have a supply voltage which isabove a given upper voltage limit and should not be discharged so as tohave a supply voltage which is below a given lower voltage limit.Otherwise there is the risk of damage or degradation. Due to inevitablevariations in the manufacturing process of the storage cells, thecapacitances of the individual storage cells may slightly differ fromone another, i.e., the capacitances may be “unbalanced”. This unbalancemay cause some of the storage cells to reach the upper voltage limitduring the charging process earlier than other storage cells, and maycause some of the storage cells to reach the lower voltage limit duringthe discharging process (when a load is powered) earlier than otherstorage cells. When one of the cells reaches the upper voltage limit thecharging process has to be stopped, even if the other cells have notcompletely been charged yet, and when one of the cells reaches the lowervoltage limit the discharging process has to be stopped, even if othercells have not been discharged to their lower limit.

Charge balancing circuits monitor the charging state of the individualstorage cells and are configured to selectively charge or dischargeindividual cells in order to balance the charging states of theindividual cells and to provide for an increased efficiency in use ofthe storage arrangement.

A charge balancing circuit according to a known concept includesinductive storage elements which are inductively coupled. One (or more)of these inductive storage elements is configured to be connected inparallel with the overall arrangement, and the others are configured tobe connected in parallel with the individual storage cells. Electronicswitches can be used to connect/disconnect the inductive elementsto/from the storage arrangement or the storage cells, respectively. Byvirtue of this arrangement energy can be transferred from one storagecell to the overall arrangement (or parts of it), or from the overallarrangement to one storage cell.

Errors may occur during the operation of such a balancing circuit. Theseerrors include a missing inductive coupling between the individualinductive elements, a defect in one of the inductive elements, or adefect in one of the switches. There is, therefore, a need to detectsuch errors.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention relate to a method for charge balancing ina charge storage arrangement having a plurality of charge storage cellsconnected in series. The method includes providing a first inductivestorage element configured to be selectively coupled with the storagearrangement, and providing at least one second inductive storage elementconfigured to be selectively coupled with a first one of the storagecells and inductively coupled to the first inductive storage element. Inthis method, during a first time period energy is taken from one of thestorage arrangements and the first storage cell by coupling theassociated inductive storage element with the one of the storagearrangement and the one storage cell, and during a second time periodwhich is subsequent to the first time period at least a part of thetaken energy is fed back into the other one of the storage arrangementsand the first storage cell by coupling the associated first inductivestorage element with the other one of the storage arrangements and thefirst storage cell. The method further includes evaluating at least oneof a first voltage and a second voltage at least at one time in thefirst time period to provide a first evaluation result and at least atone time in the second time period to provide a second evaluationresult, wherein the first voltage is dependent on the voltage across thefirst inductive storage element and the second voltage is dependent onthe voltage across one of the storage cells, and detecting an errordependent on the first and the second evaluation result.

Further embodiments of the present invention relate to a chargebalancing circuit, including a first inductive storage elementconfigured to be selectively coupled with a storage arrangementcomprising a plurality of storage cells connected in series. At leastone second inductive storage element is configured to be selectivelycoupled with a first one of the storage cells of the storage arrangementand inductively coupled to the first inductive storage element and adrive circuit. The drive circuit is configured to couple one of thefirst and second inductive storage elements with the associated storagearrangement or storage cell for a first time period, and to couple theother one of the first and second inductive storage elements with theassociated storage arrangement or storage cell for a second time periodsubsequent to the first time period. The balancing circuit furthercomprises an error detection circuit configured to evaluate at least oneof a first voltage and a second voltage at least at one time in thefirst time period to obtain a first evaluation result and at least atone time in the second time period to obtain a second evaluation result.The first voltage is dependent on the voltage across the first inductivestorage element and the second voltage is dependent on the voltageacross one of the storage cells, and generates an error signal dependenton the first and the second evaluation results.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be explained withreference to the drawings. It should be noted that these embodimentsserve to illustrate the basic principles, so that only those featuresnecessary for understanding the basic principles are illustrated. Thedrawings are not to scale. Further, like reference characters denotelike features throughout the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a charge storage arrangement with a plurality ofstorage cells connected in series, and illustrates a charge balancingcircuit according to one embodiment coupled to the charge storagearrangement;

FIG. 2 illustrates a first embodiment of a storage cell having severalsub-cells connected in series;

FIG. 3 illustrates a first embodiment of a storage cell having severalsub-cells connected in parallel;

FIG. 4 shows timing diagrams which illustrate a first charge balancingmode (bottom balancing);

FIG. 5 shows timing diagrams which illustrate a second charge balancingmode (top balancing);

FIG. 6 shows timing diagrams which illustrate an error detection duringthe first charge balance mode;

FIG. 7 show timing diagrams which illustrate an error detection duringthe second charge balance mode; and

FIG. 8 illustrates a further embodiment of a charge balancing circuit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a charge storage arrangement 1 which includes a pluralityof charge storage cells 1 ₁, 1 ₂, 1 ₃, 1 _(n) connected in series. Thecharge storage arrangement 1 of FIG. 1 includes n=4 storage cellsconnected in series. However, this is only an example. The number ofstorage cells connected in series can be arbitrarily selected dependenton the supply voltages V1 ₁, V1 ₂, V1 ₃, V1 _(n) provided by theindividual storage cells and dependent on the desired overall supplyvoltage V1 provided by the storage arrangement 1.

The charge storage arrangement 1 includes load terminals 11, 12configured to connect the charge storage arrangement 1 to a load (notshown) and/or to a charging circuit (not shown). The charge storagearrangement 1 is a rechargeable charge storage arrangement, i.e., it cansupply power/energy to a load when connected to the load, and it can bere-charged when connected to a charging circuit. The charge storagearrangement 1 is, for example, a battery or an accumulator.

Each of the storage cells 1 ₁-1 _(n) of FIG. 1 may include one sub-cellor may include several sub-cells. Referring to FIG. 2, which illustratesa first embodiment of a storage cell 1 _(i) (wherein 1 _(i) denotes oneof the storage cells 1 ₁-1 _(n) of FIG. 1), the storage cell 1 _(i) mayinclude a series circuit with several sub-cells 1 _(i1), 1 _(i2), 1_(im). These sub-cells may be implemented as accumulator or batterycells, like Lithium ion cells.

Referring to FIG. 3, which illustrates a further embodiment ofimplementing a storage cell 1 _(i), the storage cell 1 _(i) may alsoinclude several sub-cells 1 _(i1), 1 _(i2), 1 _(ik) connected inparallel. These sub-cells may be implemented as battery or accumulatorcells, like lithium ion cells. Of course, the individual storage cellscan also be implemented with combinations of series circuits andparallel circuits of sub-cells.

FIG. 1 further illustrates an inductive charge balancing circuit whichis configured to balance the charging states of the individual storagecells 1 ₁-1 _(n). Balancing the charging states of the storage cells 1₁-1 _(n) involves taking energy from the storage arrangement 1 andselectively feeding back the taken energy into one of the storage cells1 ₁-1 _(n), or involves selectively taking energy from one of thestorage cells and to feed the taken energy back into the overall chargestorage arrangement 1. The first type of charge balancing, when energyis selectively fed into one of the storage cells 1 ₁-1 _(n), will bereferred to as bottom balancing in the following; and the second type ofcharge balancing, when energy is selectively taken from one of thestorage cells 1 ₁-1 _(n), will be referred to as top balancing in thefollowing. Bottom balancing is, for example, used when the voltageacross one of the storage cells or across some of the storage cells islower than the voltage across the majority of the storage cells. Topbalancing is, for example, performed when the voltage across one storagecell or across some of the storage cells is higher than the voltageacross the majority of the storage cells. Top balancing and bottombalancing can be used during a charging process, i.e., when the chargestorage arrangement 1 is charged, and can be used during a dischargingprocess, i.e., when the charge storage arrangement 1 is discharged. Byvirtue of charge balancing the charging states, which are represented bythe voltages provided by the individual storage cells 1 ₁-1 _(n), can bebalanced, so that the individual storage cells approach criticallow-voltage states or critical high-voltage states together, wherein afurther discharging of the storage arrangement 1 is to be prevented whena low-voltage state of one storage cell is reached, and a furthercharging of the storage arrangement 1 is to be prevented when ahigh-voltage state of one of the storage cells is reached.

The charge balancing circuit of FIG. 1 includes a first inductivestorage element 2 configured to be coupled or, more specifically, to beconnected in parallel with the storage arrangement 1. To connect thefirst inductive storage element 2 in parallel with the storagearrangement 1 the charge balancing circuit includes a first switchingelement 3 connected in series with the first inductive storage element2. The series circuit with the first inductive storage element 2 and thefirst switching element 3 is connected in parallel with the chargestorage arrangement 1.

The charge balancing circuit of FIG. 1 further includes a plurality ofsecond inductive storage elements 5 ₁, 5 ₂, 5 ₃, 5 _(n) each configuredto be connected in parallel with one of the storage cells 1 ₁-1 _(n). Toconnect the individual second inductive storage elements 5 ₁-5 _(n) inparallel with the associated storage cells 1 ₁-1 _(n) the chargebalancing circuit further includes a plurality of second switchingelements 6 ₁, 6 ₂, 6 ₃, 6 _(n). Each of these second switching elements6 ₁-6 _(n) is connected in series with one of the second inductivestorage elements 5 ₁-5 _(n), and each of these series circuits with onesecond inductive storage element 5 ₁-5 _(n) and one second switchingelement 6 ₁-6 _(n) is connected in parallel with one of the storagecells 1 ₁-1 _(n).

The first inductive storage element 2 is inductively coupled with thesecond inductive storage elements 5 ₁-5 _(n) and the second inductivestorage elements 5 ₁-5 _(n) are inductively coupled with each other sothat the first inductive storage element 2 and the second inductivestorage elements 5 ₁-5 _(n) form a transformer. A transformer core whichmay inductively couple the individual inductive storage elements is notillustrated in FIG. 1.

The first inductive storage element 2 serves to take energy from thestorage arrangement 1 or to feed back energy into the storagearrangement 1 when connected in parallel with the storage arrangement 1.The individual second inductive storage elements 5 ₁-5 _(n) serve totake energy from the associated storage cell 1 ₁-1 _(n) or to feedenergy back into the associated storage cell 1 ₁-1 _(n) when connectedin parallel with the associated storage cell 1 ₁-1 _(n). A storage cell1 _(i) (wherein 1 _(i) represents one of the storage cells 1 ₁-1 _(n))“associated” with a second inductive storage element 5 _(i) (wherein 5_(i) represents one of the second inductive storage elements 5 ₁-5 _(n))is that storage cell 1 _(i) which is connected in parallel with theseries circuit including the inductive storage element 5 _(i) and theswitching element 6 _(i) (wherein 6 _(i) represents the second switchingelement connected in series with the inductive storage element 5 _(i)).The first inductive storage element 2 is connected in parallel with thestorage arrangement 1 when the first switching element 3 is in anon-state (switched on), and a second inductive storage element 5 _(i) isconnected in parallel with the associated storage cell 1 _(i) when theassociated switching element 6 _(i), which is the switching element 6_(i) connected in series with the inductive storage element 5 _(i), isin its on-state (switched on).

The switching elements 3, 6 ₁-6 _(n) illustrated in FIG. 1 are MOSFET,in particular, n-type MOSFET. However, this is only an example. Anyother type of electronic switching element, like a p-type MOSFET, abipolar junction transistors (BJT), or an IGBT may be used as well.

In the charge balancing circuit of FIG. 1 a series circuit with a secondinductive storage element 5 _(i) and a second switching element 6 _(i)is connected in parallel with each of the storage cells 1 _(i). Thisallows to selectively take energy from each of the storage cells or toselectively feed energy back into each of the storage cells. It shouldbe noted that the number of series circuits with a second inductivestorage element 5 _(i) and a switching element 6 _(i) could be less thanthe number of storage cells 1 ₁-1 _(n), wherein in this case energy cannot selectively be taken from or selectively be fed back into each ofthe storage cells 1 ₁-1 _(n), but only from/into the storage cellshaving a series circuit with an inductive storage element 5 _(i) and aswitching element 6 _(i) connected thereto.

Referring to FIG. 1, the charge balancing circuit further includes adrive circuit 7 configured to provide a first drive signal S3 for thefirst switching element 3 and to provide second drive signals S6 ₁-S6_(n) for the second switching elements 6 ₁-6 _(n). The switchingelements 3, 6 ₁-6 _(n) are switched on, i.e., are in their on-state,when the corresponding drive signal S3, S6 ₁-S6 _(n) assumes anon-level, and the switching elements 3, 6 ₁-6 _(n) are switched off,i.e., are in their off-state, when the corresponding drive signals S3,S6 ₁-S6 _(n) assume an off-level. The drive circuit 7 can be implementedas a microcontroller. The drive signals S3, S6 ₁-S6 _(n) can be logicsignals that can assume a high-level and a low-level. Optionally, driverstages 4, 7 ₁-7 _(n) are connected between the drive circuit 7 and theindividual switching elements 3, 6 ₁-6 _(n) which generate signal levelssuitable for switching on and off the individual switching elements 3, 6₁-6 _(n) from the drive signals S3, S6 ₁-S6 _(n) provided by the drivecircuit 7.

The operating principle of the charge balancing circuit will now beexplained with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 illustrates theoperating principle in the bottom balancing mode, and FIG. 5 illustratesthe operating principle in the top balancing mode. In FIGS. 4 and 5timing diagrams of a first voltage V2 across the first inductive storageelement 2, of a second voltage V5 _(i) across a first one 5 _(i) of thesecond inductive storage elements 5 ₁-5 _(n), of the first drive signalS3, and of the drive signal S6 _(i) of a first one 6 _(i) of theswitching elements 6 ₁-6 _(n) connected in series with the first one 5_(i) of the second inductive storage elements 5 ₁-5 _(n) are shown. Inthis connection it should be noted that the first one 5 _(i) of thesecond inductive storage elements 5 ₁-5 _(n) can be any one of theinductive storage elements illustrated in FIG. 1.

In FIG. 4, the timing diagrams are illustrated during one balancingcycle having a duration T. One balancing cycle in the bottom balancingmode includes at least two time periods: a first time period Ton3 duringwhich the first switching element 3 is switched on so as to connect thefirst inductive storage element 2 in parallel with the storagearrangement 1; and a second period Ton6 _(i) in which the secondswitching elements 6 _(i) is switched on so as to connect the first one5 _(i) of the second inductive storage elements in parallel with theassociated storage cell 1 _(i). In FIG. 4, the on-state of the firstswitching element 3 is represented by a high-level of the first drivesignal S3, and the on-state of the second switching element 6 _(i) isrepresented by a high-level of the corresponding drive signal S6 _(i).Thus, the on-levels of the drive signals correspond to high-signallevels. However, this is only an example. The on-levels of theindividual drive signals could also be low-levels.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the drive cycle T includes anoptional third time period Toff after the second time period Ton6 _(i)and before a new balancing cycle starts. During this third time periodToff the first and second switching elements 3, 6 _(i) are switched off.During this off-time oscillations of the first and second voltages V2,V5 _(i) may occur. However, these oscillations are not shown in FIG. 4.During the first time period Ton3, when the first switching element 3 isswitched on, the voltage V2 across the first inductive storage element 2decreases. During this time period the voltage V2 is given by:V2=V1−R _(ON3) ·I3  (1),wherein V1 is the voltage across the charge storage arrangement, R_(ON3)is the on-resistance of the first switching element 3, and I3 is thecurrent through the first inductive storage element 2 and the firstswitching element 3. Since the current I3 increases with time, thevoltage V2 across the first inductive storage element decreases withtime. Assume, that the first and second inductive storage elements 2, 5₁-5 _(n) are implemented as coils and that a winding ratio N2/N5 betweenthe number of windings N2 of the first inductive storage element 2 andthe number of windings N5 of the second inductive storage elements 5 ₁-5_(n) is equal for each of the second inductive storage elements 5 ₁, 5_(n), and that the winding senses of the first inductive storage element1, on the one hand, and the second inductive storage elements 5 ₁, 5_(n), on the other hand, are opposite. In this case, the voltage V5 _(i)across the second inductive storage element 5 _(i) is given by:V5_(i) =−V2·N5/N2  (2).

It should be noted that by virtue of the inductive coupling between theindividual second inductive storage elements 5 ₁-5 _(n) the voltagesacross the second inductive storage elements 5 ₁-5 _(n) are equal, sothat V5 _(i) in FIG. 4 represents the voltage across each of the secondinductive storage element, not only across the second inductive storage5 _(i) element which has its associated switching element 6 _(i)switched on in the subsequent second time period.

During the first time period Ton3 energy is taken from the chargestorage arrangement 1 and is stored as magnetic energy in the firstinductive storage element 2. During this first time period Ton3 thefirst voltage V2 across the first inductive storage element 2 ispositive, while the second voltages V5 ₁-V5 _(n) (represented by V5 _(i)in FIG. 4) are negative. At the beginning of the second time period Ton6_(i), when a first one 6 _(i) of the second switching element isswitched on, and the first switching element 3 is switched off, thefirst voltage V2 turns negative, while the second voltages V5 _(i) turnpositive. The second voltages V5 _(i) in the second time period aregiven by:V5_(i) =V1_(i) +I6_(i) ·R _(ON6i)  (3),wherein V1 _(i) is the voltage across the storage element associatedwith the switching element 6 _(i) and the second inductive storageelement 5 _(i) into which energy is to be fed back. I6 _(i) is thecurrent through this second switching element 6 _(i), and R_(ON6i) isthe on-resistance of this second switching element 6 _(i).

The voltage V2 across the first inductive storage element during thesecond time period Ton6 _(i) is given by:V2=−V5_(i) ·N2/N5  (4).

FIG. 4 illustrates an ideal scenario in which the second switchingelement 6 _(i) is switched on at the time at which the first switchingelement 3 is switched off. In a non-ideal scenario there is a shortdelay between the time at which the first switching element 3 isswitched off and the second switching element 6 _(i) is switched on. Inorder to prevent the charge balancing circuit from being damaged duringthis delay time, free-wheeling elements, like diodes, can be connectedin parallel with the individual second switching elements 6 ₁-6 _(n) andalso in parallel with the first switching element 3. These free wheelingelements allow the current I6 _(i) to flow before the switching element6 _(i) is switched on. MOSFET, like the n-type MOSFET illustrated inFIG. 1, have integrated body diodes which can act as free wheelingdiodes and which allow a current to flow when, like during the secondtime period Ton6 _(i), the MOSFET acting as second switching elements 6_(i) are reverse biased.

Since the voltages across the second inductive storage elements 5 ₁-5_(n), by virtue of their inductive coupling, are equal, the storage cellwith the lowest supply voltage will (automatically) be charged duringthe free wheeling phase. The drive circuit 7 is configured to switch onthe second switching element 6 _(i) associated with the storage cell 1_(i) having the lowest supply voltage during the second time period Ton6_(i), so that after switching on the associated second switching element6 _(i) the storage cell with the lowest supply voltage will further becharged in one balancing cycle of the bottom balancing process. Thevoltage drops across the other second inductive storage elements whichare associated with storage cells having higher supply voltages are notsufficient to charge storage cells other than the storage cells with thelowest supply voltage.

Of course, the storage cell having the lowest supply voltage can changefrom balancing cycle to balancing cycle. In a manner not illustrated indetail, the drive circuit 7 receives the supply voltages V5 ₁-V5 _(n) ofthe individual storage cells and is configured to determine the storagecell having the lowest supply voltage in order to decide which of thesecond switching elements 6 ₁-6 _(n) is to be switched on during thesecond time period in a bottom balancing cycle. Any conventional methodfor measuring the supply voltages V5 ₁-V5 _(n) of the individual storagecells can be used to provide the required voltage information to thedrive circuit 7. According to one embodiment, the drive circuit 7 canenter a measurement mode in which the drive circuit 7 subsequentlyswitches the second switching elements 6 ₁-6 _(n) on for short timeperiods, wherein these time periods are significantly shorter than thefirst and second time periods during the balancing cycles. In eachmeasurement cycle in which one of the second switching elements 6 _(i)is switched on, the voltage across the associated storage cell 1 _(i)can be measured by measuring. When one of the switching elements 6 _(i)is switched on, the voltage drop across the associated second inductivestorage element 5 _(i) equals the supply voltage V1 _(i) of theassociated storage cell 1 _(i). By virtue of the inductive couplingbetween the individual second conductive storage elements 5 ₁-5 _(n) thevoltage across the associated second inductive storage element 5 _(i)can be measured by measuring the voltage across any one of the secondinductive storage elements 5 ₁-5 _(n). Thus, by subsequently switchingon the second switching element 6 ₁-6 _(n) for short time periods and bymeasuring the voltage across only one of the inductive storage elements5 ₁-5 _(n) the supply voltages of the individual storage cells 1 ₁-1_(n) can be measured. Again, this is only one embodiment for measuringthe voltage across the individual storage cells 1 ₁-1 _(n). Of course,any other measuring method may be used as well.

FIG. 5 illustrates the operating principle of the charge balancingcircuit in the top balancing mode. In the top balancing mode energy istaken from a first one 1 _(i) of the storage cells 1 ₁-1 _(n) byswitching on the associated second switching element 6 _(i) so as tostore magnetic energy in the associated second inductive storage element5 _(i). Referring to FIG. 5, one balancing cycle in the top balancingmode includes a first time period Ton6 _(i) when the first one 6 _(i) ofthe second switching elements 6 ₁-6 _(n) is switched on, a subsequentsecond time period Ton3 when the first switching element 3 is switchedon, and an optional third time period Toff when all the switchingelements are switched off. During this off-time oscillations of thefirst and second voltages V2, V5 _(i) may occur. However, theseoscillations are not shown in FIG. 5.

In the top balancing mode, the first time period Ton6 _(i) is usuallyshorter than the first time period Ton3 in the bottom balancing mode,and the second time period Ton3 in the top balancing mode is usuallylonger than the second time period Ton6 _(i) in the bottom balancingmode. However, this is only an example. In the top balancing mode, thetiming diagram of the second voltage V5 _(i) basically corresponds tothe timing diagram of the first voltage V2 in the bottom balancing mode,and the timing diagram of the second voltage V2 in the top balancingmode basically corresponds to the timing diagram of the second voltageV5 _(i) in the bottom balancing mode. During the first time period inthe top balancing mode, the second voltage V5 _(i) is given by:V5_(i) =V1_(i) −R _(ON6i) ·I6_(i)  (5),wherein V1 _(i) is the supply voltage of the storage cell associatedwith the second switching element 6 _(i) switched on in the second timeperiod. R_(ON6i) is the on-resistance of the switching element 6 _(i),and I6 _(i) is the current through this switching element. The firstvoltage V2 during the first time period in the top balancing mode isgiven by:V2=−V5_(i) ·N5/N2  (6).

The first voltage V2 is negative during the first time period and turnspositive in the second time period. In the second time period, thevoltage V2 across the first inductive storage element 2 increases toabove the voltage V1 of the charge storage arrangement so as to chargethe charge storage arrangement. The voltage V2 across the firstinductive storage element 2 in the second time period of the topbalancing mode is given by:V2=V1+R _(ON3) ·I3  (7),wherein R_(ON3) is the on-resistance of the first switching element 3,and I3 is the current through the first switching element 3. Thiscurrent I3 decreases with time during the second time period. The secondvoltages V5 _(i) during the second time period are given by:V5_(i) =−V2·N2/N5  (8).

The drive circuit 7 is configured to perform top balancing or bottombalancing dependent on the voltages across the individual storage cells.Top balancing is, for example, performed if the voltage across one ofthe storage elements is higher than the voltage across the majority ofthe other storage elements. In this case, the switching element 6 _(i)associated with the storage cell 1 _(i) having the lowest supply voltageis switched on in the second time period of one balancing cycle. Bottombalancing is, for example, performed when the voltage across one storageelement is lower than the voltages across the majority of the otherstorage elements. In this case the switching element 6 _(i) associatedwith the storage cell 1 _(i) having the highest supply voltage isswitched on in the first time period of one balancing cycle.

In the charge balancing circuit errors may occur. These errors couldresult in a malfunction or, in a worst-case scenario, in a damage of thecharge balancing circuit. Those errors or faults of the charge balancingcircuit may include: interruptions of the signal lines between the drivecircuit 7 and the control terminals of the switches 3, 6 ₁-6 _(n);defects of the switches 3, 6 ₁-6 _(n); lack of inductive couplingbetween the first inductive storage element 3 and the second inductivestorage elements 3, 5 ₁-5 _(n).

In order to detect at least some of these errors the balancing circuitof FIG. 1 includes an error detection circuit 8 which is configured toevaluate at least one of the first voltage V2 and the second voltage V5_(i) at least at a first time in the first time period and at least at asecond time in the second time period of a balancing cycle, wherein thebalancing cycle can be a top balancing cycle or a bottom balancingcycle. The error detection performed by the error detection circuit 8will be explained with reference to timing diagrams illustrated in FIGS.6 and 7, wherein FIG. 6 illustrates timing diagrams in the bottombalancing mode and FIG. 7 illustrates timing diagrams in the topbalancing mode. In the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 6, the voltagesevaluated by the error detection circuit 8 are the voltage V3 across thefirst switching element 3 and one second voltage V5 _(i), wherein inFIG. 6 the negative value −V5 _(i) of this second voltage V5 _(i) isillustrated. Besides the voltages V3 and V5 _(i) FIGS. 6 and 7 alsoillustrate the currents I3 through the first winding 2 and the currentI5 _(i) through one second winding 5 _(i) corresponding to theillustrated voltage V5 _(i).

By virtue of the inductive coupling between the individual secondinductive storage elements 5 ₁-5 _(n) the second voltages V5 ₁-V5 _(n)are equal, so that only one V5 _(i) of these voltages has to bemeasured. In the circuit of FIG. 1, this measured voltage is the voltageV5 ₁ across the second inductive storage element 5 ₁ which is connectedbetween the first load terminal 11 and inductive storage element 5 ₂.This, however, is only an example. The voltage across each of the othersecond inductive storage elements could be evaluated as well.

The switch voltage V3 across the first switch 3 is dependent on thefirst voltage V2 as follows:V3=V1−V2  (9),wherein V1 is the voltage provided by the charge storage arrangement.

The timing diagrams of the voltage V3 and of −V5 _(i) in FIGS. 6 and 7can easily be obtained from the timing diagrams illustrated in FIGS. 4and 5, respectively. FIGS. 6 and 7 further illustrates the timingdiagrams of the first drive signal S3 and the drive signal S6 _(i) ofone of the second switching elements 6 _(i), namely the switchingelement which is switched on in the bottom balancing cycle illustratedin FIG. 6 or which is switched on in the bottom balancing cycleillustrated in FIG. 7. Of course, the switching elements switched on inthe bottom balancing cycle and the top balancing cycle can be different.In this connection it should be mentioned that instead of the voltage V3across the switching element 3 the first voltage V2 across the inductivestorage element 2 could be evaluated.

FIGS. 6 and 7 further illustrates four comparison signals: A firstcomparison signal S3+ obtained by comparing the switch voltage V3 with afirst reference value V31; a second comparison signal S3− obtained bycomparing the switch voltage V3 with a second reference value V32; athird comparison signal S5+ obtained by comparing the second voltage V5_(i) with a third reference value V51; and a fourth comparison signalS5− obtained by comparing the second voltages V5 _(i) with a fourthreference value V52.

In the bottom balancing cycle illustrated in FIG. 6, the first referencevalue V31 serves to detect if the switch voltage V3 during the secondtime period Ton6 _(i) rises above the supply voltage V1 provided by thecharge storage arrangement 1. The second reference value V32 serves todetect if the switch voltage V3 falls below the supply voltage V1 duringthe first time period Ton6 _(i). The third reference value V51 serves todetect if the second voltage V5 _(i) is positive in the first timeperiod, and the fourth reference value V52 serves to detect if thesecond voltage V5 _(i) is negative during the second time period.

In the top balancing cycle illustrated in FIG. 7, the first referencevalue V31 serves to detect if the switch voltage V3 during the firsttime period Ton3 rises above the supply voltage V1 provided by thecharge storage arrangement 1. The second reference value V32 serves todetect if the switch voltage V3 falls below the supply voltage V1 duringthe second time period Ton3. The third reference value V51 serves todetect if the second voltage V5 _(i) is positive in the second timeperiod Ton3, and the fourth reference value V52 serves to detect if thesecond voltage V5 _(i) is negative during the first time period Ton6_(i).

In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the first referencevalue V31 is higher than the supply voltage V1, and the second referencevalue V32 is lower than the supply voltage V1.

According to one embodiment, the voltage V5 _(i) across one of thesecond inductive storage elements 5 _(i) is evaluated. This voltage V5_(i), referring to FIG. 4, is below zero in the first time period Ton3and is above zero in the second time periods Ton6 _(i). When thenegative voltage −V5 _(i) is evaluated, as shown in the embodiment ofFIG. 6, the third reference voltage V51 is above zero and the fourthreference voltage V52 is below zero.

The second voltage V5 _(i) which is evaluated in order to detect anerror will be referred to as evaluated second voltage in the following.According to one embodiment, the evaluated second voltage is the voltageV5 ₁ across that second inductive storage element 5 ₁ directly connectedto the first load terminal. In this case, −V5 ₁ is a voltage relative tothe first supply voltage V1 (which is indicated in parenthesis in FIG.6), so that the third reference voltage V51 is selected to be above thesupply voltage V1 (instead of above zero), and the fourth referencevoltage V52 is selected to be below the supply voltage V1 (instead ofbelow zero). In this case, the third reference value V51 may correspondto the first reference value V31 and the fourth reference value V52 maycorrespond to the second reference value V32.

The comparison signals can assume two different signal values dependenton the relation between the voltages represented by the individualcomparison signals. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, thecomparison signals are generated such that the first comparison signalS3+ has a high-level, when the switch voltage V3 is higher than thefirst reference voltage V31, that the second comparison signal S3− has ahigh level when the switch voltage V3 is below the second referencevalue V32, that the third comparison signal S5+ has a high-level whenthe second voltage V5 _(i) is higher than the third reference value V51,and that the fourth comparison signal S5− has a high level when thesecond voltage V5 _(i) is below the fourth reference value V52.

In the bottom balancing mode, the second comparison signal S3− and thethird comparison signal S5+ can be used for error detection. Referringto FIG. 6, in which timing diagrams of the switch voltage V3 and thesecond voltage V5 _(i) and of the comparison signals in normal(error-free) operation is illustrated, the second and third comparisonsignals S3−, S5+ change their signal value at the end of the first timeperiod and the beginning of the second time period during the balancingcycle. As will be explained in further detail hereinbelow one or both ofthe second and third comparison signals S3−, S5+ do not change theirsignal values in the balancing cycle when an error has occurred. Thus,by simply detecting whether the second and third comparison signals S3−,S5+ change their signal value an error can be detected. This type ofdetection can be performed by simply detecting rising or falling edgesin the comparison signal, if a rising or a falling edge of thesecomparison signals occurs during one bottom balancing cycle, then thecharge balancing circuit is in normal operation. If there is no risingor falling edge there is probably an error in the balancing circuit.According to a further embodiment, the comparison signals are sampled ata first time in the first time period and at a second time in the secondtime period and the sample values are compared, wherein there is achange in the comparison signals when the sample results are different.Circuits and methods for detecting a signal change in signals like thecomparison signals illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 are commonly known, sothat no further explanations are required in this regard.

Using the second and third comparison signal S3−, S5+ the followingerrors may be detected in the bottom balancing mode:

-   I.

If, for example, the signal communication between the driver circuit 7and the first switch 3 is interrupted, both, the second and thirdcomparison signals S3−, S5+, do not change their signal states. In thiscase, the first switching element 3 cannot be switched on. Thus, theswitch voltage V3 never falls below the second reference value V32, sothat the second comparison signal S3− is kept on its low-level.Consequently, the second voltage V5 _(i) in the first time period of thebalancing cycle does not decrease or the negative value −V5 _(i) neverincreases, so that the third comparison signal S5+ is also kept on itslow-level.

-   II.

If, for example, the first inductive storage element 2 is defective, sothat there is no inductive coupling between the first inductive storageelement 2 and the second inductive storage elements 5 ₁-5 _(n), then thesecond comparison signal S3− may change its signal value, but the thirdcomparison signal S5+ does not change its signal value.

According to one embodiment, an optional fuse 10 is connected in serieswith the first inductive storage element 2. This fuse is, for example,blown before the first inductive storage element 2 is damaged. A thirdcomparison signal S5+ which does not change its signal value may,therefore, also indicate that the fuse 10 is defective (blown). Further,a third comparison signal S5+ which does not change its signal value mayalso indicate that the first switching element 3 is defective.

Thus, by evaluating the second and third comparison signals S3−, S5+ twodifferent errors can be detected: a first error I, when both of thesecond and third comparison signals S3−, S5+ are kept on their lowlevels; and a second error II when only the second comparison signal S3−is kept on its-low level (does not change).

The error detection circuit 8 generates an error signal S_(ERR)indicating whether an error has been detected. The error detectioncircuit 8 can be configured to evaluate only one of the second and thirdcomparison signals S3−, S5+ like, for example, the second comparisonsignal. In this case, an error is detected when the evaluated comparisonsignal does not change its signal level in the first and second timeperiods Ton3, Ton6 _(i). The error signal S_(ERR) can be generated toassume one of two levels: a first level when no error has been detected;and a second level when an error has been detected.

According to another embodiment, the error detection circuit 8 evaluatesboth, the second and third comparison signals. In this case, twodifferent errors can be distinguished: a first error when only one ofthe evaluated comparison signals, like the second comparison signal S3−,does not change its signal level; and a second error when none of thetwo comparison signals changes its signal level. In this case, the errorsignal S_(ERR), may include two sub-signals from which one serves toindicate the first error and from which the other one serves to indicatethe second error.

In the top balancing mode the first and fourth comparison signals S3+,S5− can be used for error detection purposes. The following errors canbe detected:

-   III.

If, for example, there is no signal communication between the drivercircuit 7 and the second switching element 6 _(i) which should beswitched on in the top balancing cycle during the first time period, thesecond voltages V5 _(i) do not increase, or −V5 _(i) does not decreaseduring the first time period Ton6 _(i), so that the fourth comparisonsignal S5− is kept on its low-level. Consequently, the switch voltage V3does not increase during the first time period, so that the firstcomparison signal S3+ is also kept on its low level.

-   IV.

The first comparison signal S3+ is kept on its low-level when, forexample, the secondary winding associated with the storage cell which isto be discharged in the top balancing cycle is defect, or when there isno inductive coupling between the secondary winding and the primarywinding.

-   V.

The fourth comparison signal S5− is kept on its low-level, when there isno magnetic coupling between the secondary windings.

Thus, by evaluating the first and fourth comparison signals S3+, S5−three different errors can be detected: a third error III, when only thefourth comparison signal is kept on its-low level (does not change); afourth error IV, when only the first comparison signal S3+ is kept onits low level; and a fifth error V, when both of the first and fourthcomparison signals S3+, S5− are kept on their low levels.

The error detection circuit 8 can be configured to evaluate only one thefirst and fourth comparison signals S3+, S5−, or can be configured toevaluate both these comparison signals S3+, S5−. Accordingly, the errorsignal S_(ERR) is generated by the error detection signal to representonly the third or fourth error, or to represent three errors III, IV, V.According to one embodiment, the error signal S_(ERR) includes twosub-signals from which one indicates if the first comparison signal S3+is kept on its low level in the first and second time periods Ton6 _(i),Ton3, and form which the other one indicates if the fourth comparisonsignal S5− is kept on its low level in the first and second time periodsTon6 _(i), Ton3. In this case, the three different errors that may occurare represented by the two sub-signals.

According to one embodiment, the error detection circuit 8 is configuredto evaluate the switch voltage V3 and the second voltage V5 _(i) (or itsnegative equivalent −V5 _(i)) only during the first and second timeperiods of one switching cycle. Therefore, oscillations which may occurin the off-time Toff cannot negatively influence the error detection.The error detection circuit 8 can be configured to detect errors in onlyone of the bottom and the top balancing modes, or in both modes.

When the first switching element 3 and the second switching elements 6 iare implemented as MOSFET with an integrated body diode, then it is notnecessary to switch on the first switching element 3 in the second phaseof a top balancing cycle, and it is not necessary to switch on thesecond switching elements 6 i in the second phase of a bottom balancingcycle. In these phases the body diode would allow the charging currentto flow. However, in order to keep losses low, these switching elements3, 6 i are switched on during these phases of the top and bottombalancing cycles, wherein the on-times of these switches 3, 6 i areselected such that (a) in the top balancing mode, the energy previouslystored in the transformer can be transferred to the charge storagearrangement 1 during the on-time of the first switching element 3, and(b) in the bottom balancing mode, the energy previously stored in thetransformer can be transferred to one 1 i of the storage cells duringthe on-time of the corresponding second switching element 6 i.

In the top balancing mode as well as in the bottom balancing mode a newbalancing cycle should not be started before a balancing process in aprevious balancing cycle has been finished. In the top balancing mode, abalancing process is finished when the energy taken from one 1 i of theindividual storage cells has been completely transferred into the chargestorage arrangement 1. In the bottom balancing mode, a balancing processhas been finished when the energy taken from the charge storagearrangement 1 has been completely fed back into one 1 i of the storagecells.

According to one embodiment, in the bottom balancing mode, the firstcomparison signal S3+ and the fourth comparison signal S5− are evaluatedin order to determine if a balancing process has been finished. In theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, falling edges of the first and fourthcomparison signals S3+, S5− indicate that energy previously taken fromthe charge storage arrangement 1 has been completely fed back into one 1i of the storage cells. Thus, according to one embodiment, a new bottombalancing cycle should not be started before falling edges of the firstand fourth comparison signals S3+, S5− have been detected. Equivalently,in the top balancing mode, the second and third comparison signals S3−,S5+ are evaluated. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7 falling edgesof the second and third comparison signals S3−, S5+ indicate that energypreviously taken from one of the storage cells 1 i has been completelyfed back into the charge storage arrangement 1. Thus, according to oneembodiment, a new top balancing cycle should not be started beforefalling edges of the second and third comparison signals S3−, S5+ havebeen detected.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, the time when a falling edge ofthe drive signal S6 _(i) occurs corresponds to the times when fallingedges of the first and fourth comparison signals S3+, S5− occur.According to one embodiment, the first and fourth comparison signalsS3+, S5− are evaluated and the switching element 5 i (which isassociated with the storage cell 1 i charged in a bottom balancingcycle) is switched off, i.e., its drive signal S6 i assumes anoff-level, when falling edges of these first and fourth comparisonsignals S3+, S5− are detected. Equivalently, in the top balancing modeillustrated in FIG. 7, the first switching element 3 can be switched offeach time falling edges of the second and third comparison signals S3−,S5+ are detected.

FIG. 8 illustrates a further embodiment of a charge balancing circuit.In this charge balancing circuit the voltage V1 across the primarywinding 2 instead of the voltage V3 across the switching element 3 isevaluated. However, this is only an example. Referring to what has beenexplained hereinbefore, the voltage V3 across a switching element 3could be evaluated as well.

The charge balancing circuit of FIG. 8 includes a further winding 91that has the same winding sense as the primary winding 2 and that willbe referred to as second primary winding 91 in the following. The secondprimary winding 91 is electrically coupled between supply terminals 21,22. The charge storage arrangement 1 and at least one further storagearrangement 1_i, 1_j are connected in series between these supplyterminals 21, 22. The at least one further charge storage arrangement1_i, 1_j can be implemented like the charge storage arrangement 1 with aplurality of charge storage cells. The series circuit with the chargestorage arrangement 1 and the at least one further charge storagearrangement 1_i, 1_j forms, for example, a battery stack or a batteryarrangement, wherein the individual charge storage arrangements formblocks or modules of the battery stack and may each include a pluralityof battery cells connected in series. In FIG. 8, HV+ is the potential atthe first supply terminal 21, and HV− is the potential at the secondsupply terminal 22.

Charge balancing circuits, like the charge balancing circuit which hasbeen explained hereinbefore, may be connected to the at least onefurther charge storage module 1_1, 1_j. However, these charge balancingcircuits are not illustrated in FIG. 8.

When the charge balancing circuit illustrated in FIG. 8 is operated inthe top balancing mode, energy is taken from one of the individualstorage cells 1 i in a first time period in which the associatedswitching element 6 i is switched on. After the associated switchingelement 6 i has switched off, the energy taken from the storage cell 1 iis fed back either into the charge storage module 1 via the primarywinding 2, or into the module stack with the individual modules 1, 1_i,1_j connected in series via the second primary winding 91. A rectifierelement 10 is connected in series with the second primary winding 91,wherein this rectifier element 10 is connected such that the modulestack can not be discharged via the second primary winding 91.

Whether the energy taken from one of the storage cells 1 i is fed backinto the module 1 via the primary winding 2 or into the module stack 1,1_i, 1_j via the second primary winding 91 is dependent on the voltageV5 i of the storage cell 1 i which is discharged and is dependent on awinding ratio N91/N2 between the number of windings N91 of the secondprimary winding 91 and the number of windings N2 of the primary winding2. Assume that a number of m modules are connected in series which areidentical and which, therefore, have the same nominal voltage. Accordingto one embodiment, a winding ratio N9/N2 is between 0.8·m and 1.2·m.When the winding ratio is N91/N2=m, then the energy is fed back into theoverall arrangement when the voltage V1 across the module 1 is higherthan the mean value of the voltages across the individual modules 1,1_i, 1_j connected in series. When the winding ratio N9/N2 is 0.8·m,then the voltage of the module 1 has to be 20% higher than the meanvoltage across the individual modules in order to feed back the energytaken from one 1 i storage cell into the over all arrangement in steadof the module 1. In other words, the energy stored in the transformer(in the second inductive storage element 5 i) when one 6 i of the secondswitching elements is switched on, is fed back into the module stackwhen the product V1·m of the voltage V1 across the module 1 and thewinding ratio m is larger than the overall voltage across the modulestack, which is the voltage between the first and second supplyterminals 21, 22. The second primary winding 91 helps to perform asecond type of a top balancing in which energy taken from one 1 istorage cell is fed into the overall arrangement with the plurality ofmodules 1, 1_i, 1_j.

Although various exemplary embodiments of the invention have beendisclosed, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variouschanges and modifications can be made which will achieve some of theadvantages of the invention without departing from the spirit and scopeof the invention. It will be obvious to those reasonably skilled in theart that other components performing the same functions may be suitablysubstituted. It should be mentioned that features explained withreference to a specific figure may be combined with features of otherfigures, even in those cases in which this has not explicitly beenmentioned. Further, the methods of the invention may be achieved ineither all software implementations, using the appropriate processorinstructions, or in hybrid implementations that utilize a combination ofhardware logic and software logic to achieve the same results. Suchmodifications to the inventive concept are intended to be covered by theappended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for charge balancing in a charge storagearrangement having a plurality of charge storage cells connected inseries, a first inductive storage element configured to be selectivelycoupled with the charge storage arrangement, and at least one secondinductive storage element configured to be selectively coupled with afirst one of the plurality of charge storage cells and inductivelycoupled to the first inductive storage element, the method comprising:during a first time period, taking energy from one of the charge storagearrangement or the first one of the plurality of charge storage cells bycoupling the associated inductive storage element with the chargestorage arrangement or the first one of the plurality of charge storagecells, respectively; during a second time period subsequent to the firsttime period, feeding back at least a part of the taken energy into theother one of the charge storage arrangement or the first one of theplurality of charge storage cells by coupling an associated inductivestorage element with the other one of the charge storage arrangement orthe first one of the plurality of charge storage cells, respectively;evaluating at least one of a first voltage and/or a second voltage atleast at one time in the first time period to provide a first evaluationresult and at least at one time in the second time period to provide asecond evaluation result, wherein the first voltage is dependent on avoltage across the first inductive storage element and the secondvoltage is dependent on a voltage across the at least one secondinductive storage element; and detecting a fault in circuitry coupled tothe charge storage cells based on the first and the second evaluationresult.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first voltage is a voltageacross the first inductive storage element.
 3. The method of claim 1,wherein the first voltage corresponds to a difference between a voltageacross the charge storage arrangement and a voltage across the firstinductive storage element.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the secondvoltage is the voltage across at least one second inductive storageelement.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein evaluating the first voltagecomprises comparing the first voltage with at least one reference valueto obtain a first comparison signal, wherein a fault is detected whenthe first comparison signal does not change between the first timeperiod and the second time period.
 6. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: comparing the first voltage with a first reference value toobtain a first comparison signal; and comparing the second voltage witha second reference value to obtain a second comparison signal, wherein afault is detected when at least one of the first and second comparisonsignals does not change between the first time period and the secondtime period.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein evaluating the secondvoltage comprises comparing the second voltage with at least one furtherreference value to obtain a further comparison signal, wherein a faultis detected, when the further comparison signal does not change betweenthe first time period and the second time period.
 8. The method of claim7, further comprising: comparing the second voltage with a thirdreference value to obtain a third comparison signal; and comparing thesecond voltage with a fourth reference value to obtain a fourthcomparison signal, wherein a fault is detected when at least one of thethird and fourth comparison signals does not change between the firsttime period and the second time period.
 9. The method of claim 1,wherein evaluating the first and second voltages comprises: comparingthe first voltage with at least one of a first reference voltage and asecond reference voltage to obtain at least one of a first comparisonsignal and a second comparison signal; and comparing the second voltagewith at least one of a third reference voltage and a fourth referencevoltage to obtain at least one of a third comparison signal and a fourthcomparison signal, wherein a fault is detected when one of the first andsecond comparison signals and one of the third and fourth comparisonsignals do not change between the first time period and the second timeperiod.
 10. The method of claim 9, which comprises a sequence ofbalancing cycles, with each balancing cycle including a first timeperiod and a subsequent second time period, the method furthercomprising: evaluating at least one of the first, second, third andfourth comparison signal; and starting a new balancing cycle dependenton at least one of the first evaluation result and the second evaluationresult.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein a new balancing cycle isstarted after a predetermined edge of the at least one of the comparisonsignals.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein a new balancing cycle isstarted after a predetermined edge of the first and third comparisonsignals.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein a new balancing cycle isstarted after a predetermined edge of the second and fourth comparisonsignals.
 14. A charge balancing circuit, comprising: a drive circuitconfigured to be coupled to a first inductive storage element, at leastone second inductive storage element, and a storage arrangementcomprising a plurality of storage cells connected in series, the drivecircuit configured to cause one of the first inductive storage elementor the second inductive storage element to be coupled with the storagearrangement or a first one of the plurality of storage cells for a firsttime period, and cause the other one of the first inductive storageelement or the second inductive storage element to be coupled with thestorage arrangement or first one of the plurality of storage cells for asecond time period subsequent to the first time period; and an errordetection circuit configured to evaluate at least one of a first voltageand a second voltage at least at one time in the first time period toobtain a first evaluation result and at least at one time in the secondtime period to obtain a second evaluation result, wherein the firstvoltage is dependent on a voltage across the first inductive storageelement and the second voltage is dependent on a voltage across the atleast one second inductive storage element, and generate an error signaldependent on the first and the second evaluation results, wherein theerror signal indicates a fault in circuitry coupled to the storagearrangement.
 15. The charge balancing circuit of claim 14, furthercomprising: a first switching element coupled in series with the firstinductive storage element, controlled by the drive circuit andconfigured to couple the first inductive storage element to the storagearrangement; and at least one second switching element coupled in serieswith the at least one second inductive storage element, controlled bythe drive circuit and configured to couple the at least one secondinductive storage element to the first one of the plurality of storagecells.
 16. The charge balancing circuit of claim 14, wherein the firstvoltage is the voltage across the first inductive storage element. 17.The charge balancing circuit of claim 14, wherein the first voltagecorresponds to a difference between a voltage across the storagearrangement and the voltage across the first inductive storage element.18. The charge balancing circuit of claim 14, wherein the second voltageis the voltage across the at least one second inductive storage element.19. The charge balancing circuit of claim 14, wherein the errordetection circuit is configured to compare the first voltage with atleast one reference value to obtain a first comparison signal, and togenerate an error indicating signal level of the first comparisonsignal, when the first comparison signal does not change between thefirst time period and the second time period.
 20. The charge balancingcircuit of claim 14, wherein the error detection circuit is configuredto compare the first voltage with a first reference value to obtain afirst comparison signal, to compare the second voltage with a secondreference value to obtain a second comparison signal, and to generate anerror indicating signal level of the error signal when at least one ofthe first and second comparison signals does not change between thefirst time period and the second time period.
 21. The charge balancingcircuit of claim 14, wherein the error detection circuit is configuredto compare the second voltage with at least one further reference valueto obtain a further comparison signal, and to generate an errorindicating signal level of the error signal, when the further comparisonsignal does not change between the first time period and the second timeperiod.
 22. The charge balancing circuit of claim 21, wherein the errordetection circuit is configured to compare the second voltage with athird reference value to obtain a third comparison signal, to comparethe second voltage with a fourth reference value to obtain a fourthcomparison signal, and to generate an error indicating signal level ofthe error signal, when at least one of the third and fourth comparisonsignals does not change between the first time period and the secondtime period.
 23. The charge balancing circuit of claim 14, wherein theerror detection circuit is configured to compare the first voltage withat least one of a first and second reference voltage to obtain at leastone of a first and second comparison signals, to compare the secondvoltage with at least one of a third and fourth reference voltage toobtain at least one of a third and fourth comparison signal, and togenerate an error indicating signal level of the error signal when oneof the first and second comparison signals and one of the third andfourth comparison signals do not change between the first time periodand the second time period.
 24. The charge balancing circuit of claim14, further comprising: the first inductive storage element; and the atleast one second inductive storage element.
 25. The charge balancingcircuit of claim 24, further comprising the storage arrangement.
 26. Thecharge balancing circuit of claim 14, wherein the at least one secondinductive storage element comprises a second storage element configuredto be selectively coupled with the first one of the plurality of storagecells, and another second storage element configured to be selectivelycoupled with another one of the plurality of storage cells, wherein thesecond voltage is a voltage across the other one of the plurality ofstorage cells.
 27. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least onesecond inductive storage element comprises a second storage elementconfigured to be selectively coupled with the first one of the pluralityof charge storage cells, and another second storage element configuredto be selectively coupled with another one of the plurality of chargestorage cells, wherein the second voltage is a voltage across the otherone of the plurality of charge storage cells.